Direct Reagent Dispensing Mechanism for Immunoassay Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional immunoassay apparatuses are complex and costly, requiring multiple robots, probe washing stations, and water backing systems for reagent dispensing, which increases processing time and instrument size.
Innovation Solution
A reagent dispenser apparatus with a dispense mechanism that includes a plurality of ports operable to open and close, allowing direct reagent dispensing into reaction vessels without the need for pipetting, reducing the number of robots, wash stations, and aspiration probes, and incorporating mechanical and pneumatic actuation for efficient reagent delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional pipetting systems with multiple robots and wash stations are used, then reagent dispensing can be performed, but the device complexity and instrument size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the pipetting function from the system by implementing direct reagent dispensing through dispensing ports that open and close to transfer reagents directly into reaction vessels, removing the need for separate pipette robots and wash stations
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing apparatus integrates multiple functions into a single system, where the same dispensing mechanism handles both reagent transfer and positioning, eliminating the need for separate specialized components for different operations
2Ease of operation
If conventional pipetting systems are used, then reagent dispensing can be performed, but processing time increases due to multiple operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares reagents in advance within sealed dispensing ports and positions them ready for immediate transfer, eliminating the need for time-consuming pipetting operations during the main processing sequence
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing system enables continuous reagent transfer through automated opening and closing of dispensing ports, maintaining uninterrupted flow of reagents into reaction vessels without the stop-start nature of conventional pipetting
3Ease of operation
If multiple robots and probe systems are used for reagent dispensing, then dispensing functionality is achieved, but instrument size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple robots, wash stations, and aspiration probes into a single integrated dispensing apparatus with multiple dispensing ports, dramatically reducing the overall instrument footprint
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing ports are integrated within a compact dispensing apparatus structure, with multiple functional components nested within each other to minimize space requirements while maintaining full dispensing capability
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an immunoassay apparatus comprising a reaction vessel carrier containing reaction vessel(s) and a dispenser support having one or more reagent container(s). The reagent containers comprise a reagent storage chamber and a reagent dispense chamber having a dispense port coupled to the reagent dispense chamber. The dispense port is operable to open and close to dispense a reagent directly into one or more reaction vessel(s) located below the dispenser support. The dispense chamber has a vertically moveable wall adapted to change a volume of the reagent dispensing chamber by vertical movement of the vertically moveable wall and thereby displacing a known amount of reagent from the dispense chamber into the reaction vessel. Further disclosed is a method of dispensing a reagent, using the immunoassay apparatus.